Rabbit put down after neglect left it unable to walk

<img src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/8MKtAQlfnxSQuQzj.ipU9Q–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/eastern_daily_press_378/7fb3db342cfb06f9094b389f0efadfb1&quot; alt="Bugsy was forced to live in filthy conditions with health issues <i>(Image: RSPCA)

A man from Dereham has been banned from keeping small animals after his rabbit had to be put down due to neglect.

Paul Comer, 55 and of St Hilda Close in the town, appeared at Norwich Magistrates’ Court charged with the neglect of the animal between May and June 2022.

Bugsy, a male lop-eared rabbit, was found in filthy and inadequate conditions. His hutch had layers of excrement and no bedding.

Bugsy’s hutch was uncleaned and had no bedding (Image: RSPCA)

Water had been provided in a bottle as had some pellets in a dish but there was no hay, grass or fresh food available.

Bugsy was not able to stand upright and his head tilted to the side. He had an eye infection, matted fur and tender ears.

RSPCA inspector Emily Astillberry said: “In 18 years as an RSPCA inspector, I have never seen a rabbit with so many obvious health problems that was still alive.”

Bugsy’s eye was badly infected and didn’t receive treatment (Image: RSPCA)

“We put him on the floor and he was unable to walk properly, dragging his back legs along as they slipped underneath him when he took a step.”

A vet decided due to the severity of his condition that the kindest thing was to end the Bugsy’s suffering by putting him down.

When he appeared at court last month, Comer pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to Bugsy by failing to provide adequate professional veterinary care and failing to meet the welfare needs.

Bugsy’s fur was matted and covered in excrement (Image: RSPCA)

He was disqualified for five years from keeping small caged animals including rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, chinchillas, mice, rats, ferrets, degus, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians.

Comer was also ordered to pay a fine of £916 and ordered to pay costs of £300 and a victim surcharge.

In mitigation, the court heard Comer had not been in trouble before and had been reluctantly left with the rabbit.

He said he had sought to provide his own treatment for the eye infection which had appeared to clear up.